Since-san 🦍

Some see a JPEG. I see access. When people dismiss @BoredApeYC as "just expensive monkey pictures," they're completely missing what's actually happening. There's a fundamental shift in how humans connect and identify with each other in the digital age. The utility promises, roadmaps, and founder visions? They're secondary to something way more primal and powerful: tribalism. The Ancient Art of Belonging For millennia, humans have used symbols to signal belonging and create bonds. Religions united strangers under shared beliefs. Flags rallied nations. Fashion brands became identities. Sports teams turned cities into families. These weren't just symbols. They were access points to communities, networks, and shared experiences that accelerated human connection. But then came the internet. Paradoxically, this tool designed to connect us has often left us more divided and isolated than ever. Strange, right? We spend more time in virtual worlds than physical reality, yet we've struggled to recreate the deep tribal bonds that once came naturally. The Return of Digital Tribalism It was just a matter of time that humans would find a new way of practicing tribalism online, including and excluding each other. NFTs didn't emerge because the technology was revolutionary, they emerged because they solved a human need that had been brewing for decades. What makes NFTs different is the layer of possession and scarcity they introduce. When someone displays a Bored Ape, they're not just showing appreciation for digital art. They're presenting credentials. People see a monkey jpeg, they can authenticate it's another peer and they connect. Humans chase prestige, inclusion, and collaboration. The Pressure of Belonging I got myself almost forced to join the BAYC because I was hanging out with groups of friends where they were all holding one and not me. The pressure was too big. I didn't join because of the founder's vision or promises of money. I don't care about that. I joined because of tribalism. You'll be excluded until you're invited. And the invitation comes with a price tag. Beyond the Transaction But here's what critics miss: once you're in, something remarkable happens. The BAYC has created amazing connections for me. Friends, business partners, clients. It's been one of the first sources of support. When you meet another ape holder, there's an instant recognition, a shared experience that breaks down typical social barriers. This isn't unique to BAYC, it's the natural evolution of how humans create meaning and connection in digital spaces. The Endless Quest for Status But like any tribe, it's constantly challenged, by leaders and sub-leaders... like any movement and society. That's why we're always in quest of something bigger. CryptoPunks? They have that OG status. But once you've joined something with an even better network, what's better? Maybe the clients we have in @Clavi_AG represent that next level. Where the access becomes even more valuable than owning the rarest punk. It's not just about digital assets anymore; it's about networks that even CryptoPunk holders aspire to join. The Real Utility The utility of BAYC isn't in promised metaverse experiences or commercial rights. It's in the network effects, the social capital, and the human connections it enables. It's a 21st-century country club, complete with membership fees, social dynamics, and networking opportunities. Some see a JPEG. I see the future of how humans will organize, connect, and identify with each other in our increasingly digital world. The technology is just the vehicle. The destination? It's always been about belonging.